POLICE are investigating a spate of fires in Crewe which damaged two town centre buildings on Saturday night.

Extra firefighters and appliances from Nantwich had to be rushed over as Crewe's fire officers found themselves stretched to the limit by reports of three fires in half an hour.

The first report came in at 10.35pm when three engines were dispatched to tackle a blaze at a disused car sales-room in High Street.

But no sooner had firefighters begun to douse that fire, another call was received saying an outbuilding at the back of New Look and Mc-Donalds in Chester Street was ablaze. A third call came in at 10.55pm reporting a rubbish fire in Oak Street.

Police confirmed they were investigating the incidents as suspected arson, but could not say at this stage if they were linked or not.

It is believed the fires in High Street and Chester Street were started when rubbish was set alight.

Crewe Fire Station administration manager Susie Byrne said 'The important thing to get across is people need to be aware of the problem and take it into consideration when they put their bins out.'

The rest of the weekend remained busy for Crewe's firefighters.

Further rubbish fires were reported in Frank Webb Avenue at 3am on Sunday and again at 4am on Monday, and another derelict building, this time on Earle Street, was torched at 7pm on Sunday.